2011 Offering TODAY is 2011 offering cut off day, for online offering it is 12/31. Offering received on/after 1/1 will be counted as for 2012. Receipt for 2011 tax return will be distributed in February, 2012. Your name and address should match with your tax return. For enquiry and amendment, please contact Mimi Chu.

2011 Voucher 1/15 is the deadline for 2011 voucher claim. After 1/15 all  vouchers must be approved by 2012 departmental chairs under budget 2012. 2012 Voucher is yellow with cost center printed at the back. One voucher for one department please.

2012 Deacons & Departmental Chairperson Inaugural Ceremony will be held during the services on 1/1.

Special Fasting Prayer Meeting will be held on 1/1 during 1:15-2:15pm, let’s join in the prayer meeting and fast together!

Staff News: Rev. Xavier Law & Pastor Teresa will take leave from 12/27-30 to attend the Winter Conference. Rev. Grace will be off from 12/28-30. Pastor Eliza Lai is in HK till 12/28. Office will be closed on 12/26-27 for Christmas.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: It will be a Cantonese & English joint prayer meeting led by Pastor Keith on 12/27! Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

• Praise the Lord!  The AWANA Christmas “Greatest Gift Mini Concert” was full of music performance and joy and fun! Thanks to all who came to join us!

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

Community Christmas Banquet Update  Over 40 volunteers served 260 people from the community in the dinner on 12/21. Volunteers also went to downtown to distribute food to the homeless people. Special thanks to all who helped!

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Theological Education Scholarships are available for those interested in  Theological education at Bible College or seminaries. For details please contact Mission Department.

Volunteers Needed for Mission Fest 2012 (1/27-29) If you are interested in children ministry and available to help as a volunteer worker in the children program, please contact Kathy Wong by 1/7 .

BIBLE & TEACHING

AWANA News There will be no class on December 31, 2011. Our first class in the new year will be on 1/7 (Saturday) @ 6:30 pm!

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):   All classes from Grade 7 to Adults, we will be having a time of fellowship and refreshments during our Sunday School time today. Please join us in the Gym following English worship service as we celebrate Jesus’ birth in fellowship and community.

CARING & COMMUNITY

Appreciation  Thanks to the 2011 Deacons & Departmental Chairpersons.

12/27-31 Winter Conference For people who have registered for transportation, please catch the bus at the Vancouver Chinese Evangelical Free Church (3295 East Broadway) on 12/27 at 9:00am.

Larry & Bella Mori to Japan (EFCM) – Caring by Family Grace

1. There are 3 Christmas gospel meeting in Sendai Church, please specially remember the ESL youths.
2. 5 Christmas meeting will be in community centre, chances to witness.
3. May God use each of the messages and that the Japanese could understand. Bless our 7 workers who are serving Him.
4. May God grant us long-term or short-term missionaries.
5. Pray that our elder son, Tim, is going to a right University.
6. Please also pray for the health and ministry for Gina Lo, Bella’s sister who is helping out in Japan mission.

Hanna Lee of Power to Change, serving in University Campus BC – Caring by Seasons

Continue to pray for Hanna’s ministries.  She still needs to run around the campus of UBC, SFU and Langara for outreach.

John Karen Loh to South America (GOI Canada) – Caring by Seasons

Please pray for the 3 events:

1. The follow-up of short-term mission team from Toronto during 12.15-22.   They did Christmas gospel meeting to 130 comers with Mandarin and Spanish, and mission education programs to our church members.
2. This is the first time we officiate a wedding ceremony to the 2^nd generation in Mexico Church.  Please pray for the new journey for the new couples that they can stand firm in God.

House of Children, Cambodia (Free Methodist Church in Canada) – Caring by Life

1. Happy to see the 2^nd generation Christians are grown and join to serve.
2. May God help us in taking care of all children in the House, and witness to their families.
3. As the village churches are growing, pray that God also give us helpers.
4. There is serious flooding all over Cambodia, pray for the people.
5. Pray that God would grant the senior high students a prayer partner or buddy so that they could help each other in their Christian life.

Samir of Good News to Arabic World (MBMSI)- Caring by Truth

1. Pray for the political situation.
2. Pray for the broadcasting – the news and the message.
3. Pray for Lewiza serving the women.
4. The leaders of the churches, their serving in pressure.

2011 Offering Record The Individual Offering Total from 1/1 to 12/11 is in next page. 12/25 is the offering deadline for year 2011, receipt for the tax return will be distributed in the coming February. All offering after that Sunday will go to year 2012. For enquiry, please contact Mimi Chu (mimichu@pgmbc.com) at 604-255-6199 ext. 2.

AGM Update: 2011 Annual General Meeting had been held out successfully. Thanks to all the members that attended.

Staff News: Pastor Eliza Lai is visiting her families in Hong Kong till 12/28. Pastor Teresa Lam will take annual leave and day off on12/22-23,27-30. Mimi Chu, Admin. Secretary, will take annual leave on 12/20.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Baby Dedication on 12/25 Christmas Sunday Parents who have baby under 2 years old and desire to dedicate their baby before the Lord and the congregation, please contact our pastors for details.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

Evangelical Opportunity  During the Christmas time, you are encouraged to send the inserted brochure “The 3 Major Holidays In Your Life” to your non-Christian friends. More brochures are available in the foyer.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

12/21 Community Christmas Banquet We are encouraged by the Vancouver Urban Ministry to donate gifts or financial support. Contact Janice Lau for details. May God bless the ministry and the people from the community.

BIBLE & TEACHING

Children Sunday School Christmas Play  Children (Gr.1-6) interested in performing in the Christmas play are invited to come to church on 12/19 from 9:30 am-3 pm.  For details and a permission form, please see Grace Li or e-mail childrensundayschool@pgmbc.com.

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):   

• Grade 7-9: Christmas Celebration !!
• Grade 10-12: Just Like You (Hebrews 2:18)
• Adult Sunday School: Jesus’ Suffering and Death (John 18:1-19:40)

CARING & COMMUNITY

Gift Presentation  Thanks to the 2011 Deacons & Departmental Chairpersons. To show our appreciation to each of them, there will be a gift presentation during the services on 12/25.

30^th Anniversary Celebration & Christmas Banquet Door opens at 6pm, program starts at 6:30. Bring your ticket for a gift draw!

Thanks to the 30^th Anniversary Committee:

Coordination Committee:     Ade Huen(Chair), Rev Law, Louise Ho, Ryan So Magazine Team:            Joseph Kwan (Editor)
DVD Team:                         Eric Chan (Leader)
Graphic Designer:                           Naomi Mak
Sales & Promotion Team:    Joanna Li (Leader)
Dream Tree Production:      Sallen Chan
Theme Song Writer:             Louise Ho
Banquet Decoration:           Maggie Tsang
Banquet Reception Team:    Tiffany Tong
Banquet MC:                       Pia Ng, Cindy Zhang, Hansel Yu

2012 Calendar is available in the foyer. You may take some for caring visitation.

Staff News: Pastor Eliza is visiting her families in Hong Kong till 12/28.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Baby Dedication on 12/25 Christmas Sunday Parents who have baby under 2 years old and desire to dedicate their baby before the Lord and the congregation, please contact our pastors for details.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

AWANA Greatest Gift Mini Concert 12/17(Sat.) at 6:30pm in B11, it’s the “AWANA Christmas Bring A Friend Night!”  Parents are invited to come and join us with live music performance and fun Christmas activities!  Get more tickets from Maggie TODAY@11:15am or 12:50pm in front of B11 in the Gym!

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

12/21 Community Christmas Banquet There will be a full house with over 210 people from our community. The Vancouver Urban Ministry encourages us to donate gifts or financial support. Contact Janice for details.

BIBLE & TEACHING

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):   

• Grade 7-9: The Next Transformer
• Grade 10-12: Give In! (Luke 1:26-38)
• Adult Sunday School: Staying Close to Jesus through the Holy Spirit Part 2 (John 16:16-17:26)

CARING & COMMUNITY

30^th Anniversary Magazine & DVD Set are ready for pick up after worship in the foyer. Unit cost $12. One free set for each family. Donation is welcome!

Volunteer Needed for IT Dept. If you have knowledge of computer, networking, and MSSBS server and can help during office hour, please contact Simon Ng at: it@pgmbc.com.

I’ve often wondered how Christmas got monopolized by a chubby elf dressed in a red suit (an ugly suit at that).  Granted, that said elf can cover the entire globe in one evening delivering presents to good, well-behaved children from all nations is quite an amazing feat in and of itself. Most importantly however, is what this elf represents to the average everyday person like you and I – PRESENTS!  You see, it is around this time of year that a hope emerges in the hearts of boys and girls, men and women.  A hope that makes us feel good about ourselves even if our year went badly. A hope that finds its fulfillment on Christmas morning when that age-old question “what are you getting me this year?” is finally answered…

It’s no secret that Christmas has become all about the presents and because of this, we are all driven into a mad consumerist frenzy where shopping replaces family time.  Instead of worrying about caring for people, we worry if they’ll like the present we bought them.  And sometimes, we feel obligated to buy gifts for certain people because we’re afraid of upsetting them if we don’t. So fear, obligation and our own reputations become the main motivations to give gifts rather than simply love and generosity.  Perhaps a re-evaluation of how and why we give gifts is in order?

Galatians 4:4-6 tells us that God sent his Son to redeem us so that we can be adopted as his sons and daughters.  God knows that the greatest gift he can give to us is Himself.  Think about this for a moment: the Creator of everything wants to give Himself to you. Let me repeat: the Creator of EVERYTHING wants to GIVE HIMSELF TO YOU.  God wants to adopt us as his own sons so that we can experience the perfect love and relationship the Father and Son share with one another.  There is no bond greater, nothing more satisfying than sharing in this.  He wants us to experience joy and delight like we’ve never experienced before.

You see, for God, relationships are about giving. In the relationship between the Father and the Son, it’s about giving. In the Son’s relationship with us, it’s about giving.  Even Creation itself is about God giving of himself so that all created things (ie. You and me) can enjoy his love and presence.

This Christmas, let us make it about giving by remembering how the Father gave his Son to us so that we can all be his sons and daughters.  The more we understand our own adoption into God’s family, the freer we will be to give.  On a practical level, in our gift-giving, let us GIVE MORE and SPEND LESS.  Spend more time with family and friends than at the mall or supermarket. Make gifts for people rather than going into debt buying them.

Consider taking up this challenge:  Take your total Christmas gift budget, spend 75% of it and give 25% away to your favorite cause (…or better yet, how about 50/50?)

Let’s combat the rampant consumerism that plagues this beautiful holiday. Giving gifts is great, but do we really want to keep perpetuating the idea that Christmas is simply about giving and receiving presents – where materialism is idolized, but spirituality is forgotten? Do we really want that chubby imaginary elf taking over a holiday that is really meant to celebrate the Father giving his Son to us?

God bless,

Pastor Keith

Annual General Meeting: TODAY at 2:30pm. Agenda please see below.

2011 Ministry Report All written ministry reports received are posted on the bulletin board. Some copies in the foyer for pick up.

30^th Anniversary Magazine & DVD Set One free set per family. Donation is welcome!

2012 Calendar With the compliments of the church, 2012 calendar is available in the foyer. One copy per family. You may take more for caring visitation.

Staff News: Pastor Eliza is visiting her families in Hong Kong till 12/28.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Baby Dedication on 12/25 Christmas Sunday Parents who have baby under 2 years old and desire to dedicate their baby before the Lord and the congregation, please contact our pastors.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

• Pastor Eliza Lai is visiting her elder sister Amy who had recently confirmed with lung cancer. May God prepare her heart to accept Jesus as her Savior.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

12/21 Community Christmas Banquet It is already full house! We have successfully recruited volunteers for this event too. The Vancouver Urban Ministry would like to encourage us to make some gift donation or financial support. Details please contact Janice Lau.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox We had collected 2489 shoeboxes from Greater Vancouver till 12/2 before delivery. We have doubled our collection from last year of 931 boxes! May God bless the kids and families who receive the shoeboxes.

BIBLE & TEACHING

English Discipleship Training: 1:30pm Today at A11

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):       

• Grade 7-11: Tasty (Psalm 34:8)
• Grade 10-12: Staying Close to Jesus through the Holy Spirit Part 1 (John 15:1 – 16:33)

CARING & COMMUNITY

30^th Anniversary Celebration & Christmas Banquet The ticket sale was concluded last Sunday. For extended grace, this is the final chance for you to attend the banquet.  Please contact Ade Huen, the coordinator latest by TODAY for your tickets.

Volunteer Needed for IT Dept. If you have knowledge of computer, networking, and MSSBS server and can help during office hour, contact Simon Ng at: it@pgmbc.com.

ADMINISTRATIVE

12/4 Annual General Meeting at 2:30pm See agenda in next page. Reserve your time to attend the meeting!

2011 Ministry Report All written ministry reports received are post on the bulletin board. Some copies in the foyer for pick up.

30^th Anniversary Magazine & DVD Set are ready for pick up after worship in the foyer. Unit cost $12. One free set for each family. Donation is welcome!

2012 Calendar With the compliments of the church, 2012 calendar is available in the foyer. One copy per family. You may take more for caring visitation.

Cantonese Departmental Chairperson Meeting At B7 TODAY from 1pm to 2:30pm.

Staff News: Rev. Grace Kim will attend the BCMB meeting at Abbotsford on 11/30. Pastor Eliza is visiting her families in Hong Kong till 12/28. Pastor Keith Cheung will take a complimentary day off on 12/2.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

• Pastor Eliza Lai is visiting her elder sister Amy who had recently confirmed with lung cancer. May God prepare her heart to accept Jesus as her Savior.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

12/21 Community Christmas Banquet Jointly hosted with Vancouver Urban Ministry, the banquet is for about 200 people from our community. Starting at 4:30pm, Pastor Keith will share the gospel with the guests, dinner to be served at 6pm. Volunteers are needed, please contact Janice Lau.

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Ian’s Commissioning Service Our brother Ian will be commissioned to the mission field. Please come to witness this glorious moment TODAY at 2:30pm!

Mission Pledge Till 11/20, 48 Mission Pledge card were received. 22 are willing to pray for mission ministry; 14 are considering to attend short-term mission; 6 are going for Seminary; 2 are willing to dedicate for full-time service. Total mission pledge is $39,530. You are still encouraged to fill in your pledge and put into the suggestion box in the foyer!

BIBLE & TEACHING

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):   

• Grade 7-11: Why can’t I do that?
• Grade 10-12: What Time is It?

CARING & COMMUNITY

30^th Anniversary Celebration & Christmas Banquet at Fraser Court Seafood Restaurant on 12/11 (Sun) evening (6-9:30pm). TODAY is the last day to purchase the tickets in the foyer after worships!

12/2 No Parking Around Gym Exits A big truck will come to pick up all the shoe boxes on 12/2 Friday night between 7-8pm. Please keep the area clear.

Volunteer Needed for IT Dept. If you have knowledge of computer, networking, and MSSBS server and can help during office hour, please contact it@pgmbc.com.

Soo to Asia(OMF) -- Caring: Alt-Tab/Mandarin group

Soo had a very fruitful trip to Bali Indonesia for a conference and had great opportunity to learn from others about the Asian mission movement. She had a very busy October and November involving in planning and reviewing meetings with different councils and committee. She also went with a small group to a remote village in Asia.  Pray for Soo’s father’s cancer monitoring and her mother’s kidney function. Soo would be back to spend an early Christmas with them.

Hannah Lee to univesity campus (Power to Change Canada) – Caring: Seasons
Power to Change at Langara was launched in late October. Please pray for the 6 student strong leaders and 4 new Christians can multiply themselves, protection for the Christian students excited about sharing their faith , wisdom and discernment for our team to know the speed and direction to help the students trust God for great things.

Jon Lim in Asian Students on Kampus (IVCF Canada) – Caring : Quench

We have 6 fellowships that covers 64,000 students. Pray that God would give us sustainable long term vision for ministry in Calgary; a fully vibrant staff team that loves Jesus. Pray for our family protection over relationships (marriage, parenting, siblings).

Chinese International Missions (Canada)

Togo update.  Leadership training mobilizing the Eglise de la Grace en Christ church; micro-financing 13 ladies to help their livelihood.  Three church plantings in different regions seeking financial commitment in supporting effecting cross cultural outreach in Africa.

ACM (Canada)

We have just come back from a fruitful Panama mission trip! We visited 6 cities and reached 2,208 people, among those there were 234 new converts and 15 people committed to serve God full time. Since these numbers were beyond expectations, please pray for wisdom and strength for the local churches to take care of these fruits. We have confirmed to serve the Greater Vancouver Area in March 2012 (March 22 – April 2).  Please pray for the confirmation of the details with different churches.

CHURCH NEWS

• 12/4 Annual General Meeting at 2:30pm. See agenda in next page. Please mark your calendar to attend the meeting.
• Old & New Deacons and Departmental Chairpersons Meeting With lunch provided at Gym at 1pm, the meeting starts at 2pm in B11 TODAY.
• 30^th Anniversary Magazine & DVD Set are ready for distribution after worship in the foyer. Unit cost $12. One free set for each family. Donation is welcome!
• Staff News: Rev. Law & Pastor Teresa will attend the Preachers Workshop on 11/22. Pastor Keith & Pastor Teresa will attend the “Maintaining Spiritual Vitality in Ministry” seminar at ACTS on 11/25. Pastor Eliza will visit her non-believing sister who got lung cancer recently in Hong Kong from 11/25 to 12/28.

PRAYER & PRAISE

• Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Tony & Pat Schmidt, missionary in Japan, will come to share their missionary experience with us on 11/22. Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.
• Leighanne & Boaz Chan’s grandpa Chu Kuen Cheung has been back to HK after Thanksgiving Baptism. Please pray for his spiritual growth in Christ.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

• Cantonese Gospel Sunday (11/27) Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Au, TV stars from Hong Kong, are going to share their ups and downs in their marriage journey with us. Please invite your non-Christian Cantonese speaking friends to come join us!

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

• Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts   Please bring the shoeboxes back between 11/21-27 (Except 11/26 Sat.) with $7/box for shipping costs.
• Ian’s Commissioning Service on 11/27 @2:30pm: Our brother Ian will be commissioned to the mission field. Please come to witness this glorious moment!

BIBLE & TEACHING

• English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm):   All classes: Prayer

CARING & COMMUNITY

• 30^th Anniversary Celebration & Christmas Banquet at Fraser Court Seafood Restaurant on 12/11 Sun. night. Tickets are available in the FOYER after worship till 11/27. $30/Adult, $15/Senior or child (age 4-12), Free for kids (age 0-3).
• 12/21 Community Christmas Banquet  Jointly hosted by our church and Vancouver Urban Ministry, the banquet is for about 200 people from our community. Starting at 4:30pm, Pastor Keith will share the gospel with the guests, the dinner will be served at 6pm. Volunteers are needed, please contact Janice.
• Mouse Issues: As winter is here, mice tend to look for ways to enter into warm buildings. Please help keep our church clean and free of mice by putting all garbage into covered garbage bins and cleaning up church facilities after use.
• Volunteers Ministries Survey Form are available in the Foyer, please fill in and put it into the Suggestion Box.
• 12/2 No Parking Around Gym Exits A big truck will come to pick up all the shoe boxes on 12/2 Friday night between 7-8pm. Please keep the area clear.
• Volunteer Needed for IT Dept. If you have knowledge of computer, networking, and MSSBS server and can help during office hour, please contact it@pgmbc.com.

11/20 Old & New Deacons and Departmental Chairpersons Meeting With lunch provided  Gym at 1pm, the meeting starts at 2pm in B11. All reports, budget and plans are required to be sent to the deacon George Cheung by TODAY.

12/4 Annual Congregational Meeting Agenda will be post next week, church members please mark your calendar and attend the meeting at 2:30pm.

Staff News: All pastoral staff will attend the VCEMF on 11/14 and the MB Church Planting Meeting on 11/17. Pastor Teresa will take her annual leave on 11/15.

PRAYER & PRAISE

• Sallen Chan, mother of Benedicta, Chrisanna & Gabriel, is joining the Lifestyle Ministries I.S. team to serve in Sichuan and Guangdong from 11/19-12/2 supporting spiritual care and counseling.
• Mrs. Wing Yu Leung, Hazel Wong & Celine Ho’s grandma, has been discharged from Burnaby General Hospital.

Children’s Worship – JAM Celebration on 11/19 (Sat) from 2-6pm @B11 & Gym. Grade 1-7 children and parents are welcome. For more details, please contact Tiffany Tong or Pastor Teresa.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting: Please come join us at 7:30pm at church.

GOSPEL & MINISTRY

Cantonese Gospel Sunday (11/27) Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Au, TV stars from Hong Kong, are going to share their ups and downs in the journey of marriage with us. Please invite your non-Christian Cantonese speaking friends to come join us!

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts  Pack gifts using a shoebox to a boy or a girl; ages 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14; with $7/box for shipping costs. Bring back between 11/21-27 (Except 11/26 Sat). Last Sunday, there were over 80 shoeboxes packed in the family packing event by our families and the Journey fellowship.

Ian’s Commissioning Service on 11/27 @2:30pm: Our brother Ian will be commissioned to the mission field. Please come to witness this glorious moment!

BIBLE & TEACHING

English Sunday School (11:30am-12:30pm)   

• Grade 7 to 9: Procrastinate      • Grade 10 to 12: Half or Wholehearted

CARING & COMMUNITY

30^th Anniversary Celebration & Christmas Banquet at Fraser Court Seafood Restaurant on 12/11 Sun. night. Tickets available at FOYER from 10/16 till 11/27 after worship. $30/Adult, $15/Senior or child (age 4-12), Free for kids (age 0-3).

12/21 Community Christmas Banquet  Jointly hosted by our church and Vancouver Urban Ministry, the banquet is for about 200 people from our community. Starting at 4:30pm, Pastor Keith will share the gospel with the guests, the dinner will be served at 6pm. Volunteers needed, please contact Janice.

Mouse Issues: As winter is fast approaching, mice tend to look for ways to enter into warm buildings. Please help keep our church clean and free of mice by putting all garbage into covered garbage bins in Gyn and cleaning up church facilities after you use them.